I’m planning a hair transformation, after years of not going to hairdressers and just chopping it myself/occasional box dyes. I want to go purple! I always had purple hair when I was younger so it feels like going ‘back to my roots’ 
I’ve already had a cut & consultation with a salon that specialises in creative colours and have a deposit & appt in a few weeks. Already feel better just with a proper haircut.
I’m currently natural dark brunette with the top 6 inches or so ‘virgin’, below that slightly reddish brown from old old dye but I don’t think the transition is that obvious. There might be some bleached bits at the ends from a dip-dye around 2 years ago which was later mostly chopped off/dyed dark over.
I want to go to purple, but not the same colour all over, very dark purple at the roots with different tones/pops throughout and brighter towards the end - I’ve no idea what the proper technical terms are like balayage, ombré, highlights etc but I hope that describes the look I’m thinking of.
Colourist - who has an amazing gallery of work/highly recommended/well thought of etc, so I’m happy handing over quite a large deposit, has said the first colour session will be 4-5hours and she’ll first bleach to roots before the creative colour is applied and upkeep will also involve bleaching roots. Now I’m thinking, is that really necessary? If I want a dark look to roots do we really have to bleach right to the roots? I mean I want the purple to go to the roots but be very dark purple there if that makes sense.
Anyway I’m confusing myself thinking about it too much and hoping people who are more experienced with colouring can give an insight :)
I’m aware purple fades to blue/green, requires upkeep etc.